The Best Pillow for Back Sleepers

The Difficulty Back Sleepers Face

Back sleepers are lucky because their sleeping position of choice affords them the best comfort and the least risk of back issues. But as you may know as a back sleeper, they face the issue of neck problems if they don’t possess the right pillows. A good pillow can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and lots of pain.

Back sleepers need firm neck support and a mid-range height that keeps their necks flat and cervical spines straight.

I have dealt with neck pain for most of my life. I never realized it had to do with my pillow. I started experimenting with pillows and now I bring you my results.

Read on to learn about back sleeper pillows and find one that is ideal for you!

Best Back Sleeper Pillow Comparison Chart 2018

Brand

Material

Loft

Care

Coop Home Goods

Memory Foam

Varies

Cover Washable

Customsleeping

Memory Foam, Cooling Gel

Varies

Washable

Nest Bedding

Memory Foam

Varies

Spot Clean Only

Sleep Innovations

Memory Foam

4.8”

Spot Clean Only

PharMeDoc

Memory Foam, Cooling Gel

4”

Spot Clean Only

Back Sleeper Pillow Reviews

1. Coop Home Goods Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Coop Home Goods Adjustable Shredded Memory Foam Pillow

Overview: The shredded visco foam inside of the pillow can be taken out and adjusted to find your perfect loft. This is ideal for anyone who is unsure of what loft to get. The pillow has a removable washable cover that is made of 60% rayon and 40% bamboo rayon. With a Certipur certification, you can rest assured that this pillow is hypoallergenic and non-flammable, while still being healthy for you and the environment. It is guaranteed to not go flat with use.

Review: Heat is always an issue for me, so I worried when I got this pillow. However, it stayed cool. I enjoyed the soft support. I am always a fan of adjustable pillows, so I loved being able to customize this to the loft I required. I woke up every morning refreshed with no neck pain and slept through the night. The quality of the pillow started to diminish over a few months, and it was flatter than before after ten months of use.

2. Customsleeping Cervical Pillow – Editor’s Choice

Customsleeping Cervical Pillow

Overview: The name says it all: This pillow is designed to keep your cervical spine aligned and prevent neck pain. It moves with you as you roll. The neck roll is designed elevate your neck just right to improve blood circulation and relieve pain. Made with memory foam, it features clusters of gel that are both cooling and comforting.

Pros: Washable, feels cuddly with the gel clusters, stays cool, washable, made in the USA

Cons: inconsistent quality

Review: Snuggling into this pillow at the end of the day is why it is my top pick. I love how it cradled my head, allowing me to relax my sore neck and shoulders after a long day at work. Despite the fact it is made with memory foam, I found it to be quite cool. The company tends to change prices and quality, which is frustrating. But overall, this pillow is very supportive and soft. It will help relieve neck and spine issues with its unique design.

3. Nest Bedding Easy Breather

Nest Bedding Easy Breather

Overview: This supportive pillow is adjustable to find your ideal loft. It is great for back, stomach, and side sleepers because it helps with breathability and cooling. You can adjust it as needed by removing the stuffing from the zippered cover. Made with shredded memory foam, it boasts a cooling technology that makes it ideal for people living in hot climates or people such as overweight or pregnant users who generate too much heat.

Pros: This product is customizable and adjustable. Removable cover for washing or replacing. Won’t trigger allergies or catch fire.

Cons: Not washable at all, needs own pillow cover, bad chemical smell at first

Review: I felt like I was sleeping on a dream once the chemical smell dissipated. To rid myself of the smell, which prevented sleep on the first night, I had to buy a special zippered case. After that, it was fine. The pillow was easy to adjust to my liking. I saved the foam to add more later if it went flat – but it never did! It supported my neck nicely and I stayed cool all night, even during the summer.

4. Sleep Innovations Cool Memory Foam Contour Pillow

Sleep Innovations Cool Memory Foam Contour Pillow

Overview: Unique in its shape, this pillow is meant to solve back and neck pain problems. It is a firm, strong pillow that supports your neck while you sleep on your back. It is made of memory foam, which makes it hold its shape and never go flat. It also has a soft cover over it. The shape of it will hold your cervical spine straight and flatten your neck, improving sleep quality and comfort.

Cons: can be too firm for those who like softer pillows, cannot wash at all

Review: I found a solution to my worse neck aches while using this pillow. Unfortunately, it was hard to get used to sleeping on this strange-shaped pillow. It took me a few nights, during which I considered throwing it out. I’m glad I didn’t, though. Once the smell passes and you get used to it, it is easy and pleasant to use. You can tell it is specially designed for people with cervical spine issues.

5. PharMeDoc Contour Memory Foam Pillow

PharMeDoc Contour Memory Foam Pillow

Overview: This pillow was designed by orthopediatricians to support the neck and hold the cervical spine still while sleeping on your back. It has two dual-constructed pillow lofts to adjust height. It also has cooling gel to prevent heat from building in the memory foam.

Review: I could feel this pillow’s quality when I unpacked it. I was uncertain because it was quite hard. It was difficult to get used to, and I honestly hated it at first. But I noticed that my neck pain dissipated and I felt fine as I walked around the next day. It was working! The design is far from soft or sweet, but it holds your spine in shape perfectly. The odor is strong but will dissipate in a few days. It is a high pillow, which is meant to help you elevate your neck.

Best Back Sleeper Pillow Buyer’s Guide

If you are at a loss how to find a pillow, this guide will help you learn what to look for!

Loft (Thickness)

A pillow that is too thick will elevate your neck too high, while one that is too thin will sink your neck too low. You need a pillow that covers the difference between your shoulders and the bed.

Softness

As a back sleeper, you need comfortable and firm support that holds your cervical spine straight. This prevents pain in the morning. It also lets you sleep easily.

Material

You have some materials to select from: memory foam, shredded memory foam, gel- or water-filled, microbead, and fiber padding.

Memory foam or shredded memory foam is great because it helps conform to your head and neck, but they are warm and trap heat. Gel pillows are often cooling, which can bring about comfort particularly in sweltering climates. Gel memory foam is the best of both worlds: cool and comfy!

Memory foam or shredded memory foam is great

Don’t consider down pillows because they contain allergens and fall flat within a year. Cotton can also do this unless it is a special technology.

Features

Some of the features you should look for in selecting a pillow:

Cooling technology. The cooler the pillow, the better you will sleep. You don’t want to stay awake with your hair soaked with sweat so search for pillows that offer microbead or gel cores and “cooling technology.”

Washable pillows. Most memory foam will be ruined by the washer. Make sure you can wash yours or get a washable cover. You will have to spot clean memory foam.

Waterproof. A pillow that is waterproof can keep away sweat, tears, and all the rest! Especially necessary in humid areas.

Hypoallergenic and antimicrobial microfiber fill. Dust mites are known to cause allergies but pillows made of hypoallergenic fibers can prevent that issue. You also really need this in humid or allergy-prone areas or if you have pets.

Budget

Always keep how much you are willing to spend in mind. Amazon makes it easy to compare prices, warranties, and guarantees to find what will give you the most bang for your buck. You will likely find something within your budget that meets your needs on the marketplace. Be sure to consider pillows an important part of the budget, however, as you spend at least six hours a day on them!

Quality

A pillow that is cheap will go flat quickly and never feel quite comfortable. Its features will let you down. A pillow that is overpriced may not offer the best quality, either. You want to find something with great reviews and guarantees of superior quality. You also want to consider if it will last a while, making your money worthwhile.

Conclusion

Sleeping on your back is generally considered the best position for your health and comfort. But you still need good support from your pillow. A poor pillow will cause back issues that plaque you all day long and prevent you from getting proper rest.

But since you have read this article, you know that you have a lot of quality options.